The 10 Best Fireworks Shows in the MLB

Everyone loves fireworks, so why only have them on the Fourth of July? Good news, most MLB teams now break out the pyrotechnics after select games all summer long. But which ballparks offer, literally, the most bang for your buck? Here are the MLB’s 10 most eye-popping fireworks displays—and tickets to all of them are available now through ScoreBig, where you can save on every seat, every day. Yep, even when it’s “Fireworks Friday.”

10. Cincinnati Reds

Presented by Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks, who have been putting on pyrotechnic displays since 1895, Fireworks Fridays at Great American Ball Park are a Cincinnati tradition, eliciting more “Oohs” and “Aahs” from the crowd than a Joey Votto homer. Shows are often accompanied by live music, although you might have trouble hearing it over the salutes and crackles of Rozzi’s flashy displays. At many Friday night games, you can also see “Sam the Bald Eagle” from the Cincinnati Zoo soar through the stadium during the singing of the national anthem.

9. Colorado Rockies

Maybe it’s that thinner, mile-high air that makes the fireworks displays at Coors Field seem extra dazzling. Or maybe it’s all the preparation that goes into producing what the Colorado Rockies proudly claim are “the best and biggest fireworks in town!” For a glimpse at what it takes to rock the Rockies with a sky full of sparklers and streamers, watch the video below.

Upcoming 2014 dates: July 3, July 4, Sept. 19.

8. New York Mets

When the Mets moved into their new home at Citi Field in 2010, there were concerns that the new ballpark wouldn’t be able to accommodate fireworks because it was too close to other businesses. Instead, technicians were able to rig up dozens of smaller but no less spectacular pyrotechnics above the scoreboard and all around the ballpark’s rim, turning Citi Field into a literal ring of fire when the rockets go off.

Upcoming 2014 dates: July 4, Aug. 2 and Sept. 13.

7. Detroit Tigers

The Tigers have some of the best pitchers in baseball, but even they can’t dazzle like an old-fashioned, no-holds-barred fireworks display at Comerica Park. With fireworks launched right from centerfield, it’s about as close as fans can get to the pyrotechnics without having to don safety gear. Expect lots of layer effects and “dragon’s eggs,” which are those little clusters of crackling white sparks that produce dense bursts of light and sound.

6. Houston Astros

For every Friday night Astros game in downtown Houston, they retract the roof of Minute Maid Park to treat fans to a Texas-sized fireworks show set to a different musical theme, from 2014 chart toppers to country to Elvis. Called Big & Bright Friday Nights, it’s the Astros’ way of thanking fans, who are now also getting treated to some fireworks on the field as well as above it, thanks to new players like Dexter Fowler and rookie George Springer.

5. San Francisco Giants

The Giants have two advantages over every other MLB team’s fireworks display: They get to start every show with a massive sing-along to Journey’s “Lights,” and they get to their launch their fireworks out over San Francisco Bay, allowing them to explode much larger and technically complex displays (including smiley faces!) than what you’d see at most other ballparks. With its scenic setting right on the water, AT&T Park is one of the best places in baseball to watch them light up the night sky. And it doesn’t hurt that the Giants are back in pennant-winning form this season, either.

Upcoming 2014 dates: July 2.

4. Seattle Mariners

The Mariners didn’t introduce monthly fireworks nights at Safeco Field until just last year—but they made up for lost time with a display that is one of the league’s most dazzling. Produced by Pyro Spectaculars, who also stage the legendary New Year’s Eve fireworks extravaganza at Seattle’s Space Needle, it’s a lengthy, highly choreographed show with a thunderous finale—hopefully, just like the Mariners’ 2014 season.

Upcoming 2014 dates: July 25, Aug. 29.

3. Chicago White Sox

The White Sox don’t sacrifice quality for quantity when it comes to fireworks: Despite scheduling a whopping 20 fireworks nights at home games this year, their displays remain among the league’s best. Launched over the scoreboard at U.S. Cellular Field and featuring lots of big, traditional “chrysanthemum” spherical bursts and multi-colored streamers, the show is set to themes ranging from “Mullet Night” (classic rock) to “Rat Pack” (‘50s jazz and big-band standards).

2. Baltimore Orioles

Oriole Park at Camden Yards is one of the most attractive ballparks in the majors, and their monthly fireworks shows do the venue proud, with fanning sets of streamers, comets and dragon’s eggs set to a classic rock and oldies soundtrack. The Aug. 8 display will celebrate the Orioles’ 60th anniversary with a laser show and special appearances by former Orioles greats, including Brooks Robinson, Rick Dempsey and Eddie Murray. (2014 dates: June 13, July 3, Aug. 8, Sept. 19.)

1. Los Angeles Dodgers

Would you expect anything less than a jaw-dropping spectacle in the entertainment capital of the world? Held at every Friday home game throughout the regular season, Friday Night Fireworks at Dodger Stadium are a go-for-broke display of starbursts, sparklers and “willows” (bursts that leave long graceful trails, like the branches of a weeping willow tree) in red, white and Dodger blue, often set to a themed soundtrack; last year’s displays featured disco and Star Wars themes.